Influenza season is here, and now is the time to get your annual influenza (flu) vaccine, also known as the “flu shot.”

Although the U.S. has had mild flu seasons the last two winters, this flu season could be different. In the countries of the Southern Hemisphere the most recent flu season was the worst in five years, with influenza A (H3N2) circulating.

The A (H3N2) viruses have been associated with more severe influenza seasons compared to other flu viruses that have circulated in years past, and the U.S. could see it this season. As people resume their normal routines, more people may be exposed to circulating respiratory viruses like flu and the virus that causes COVID-19.

Public Health officials expect both influenza and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to be present and spread in Idaho at the same time. Vaccination against respiratory viruses can help prevent hospitalization and death.

To protect against the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age or older get the flu vaccine each year in September or October. However, vaccination after October can still be helpful since flu seasons generally last into spring. CDC bases recommendations on the Advisory Committee on Immunization (ACIP).

Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against the flu. In the U.S. flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.5 million illnesses, 3.7 million medical visits, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 deaths associated with influenza during the 2019-2020 flu season.

The 2022-2023 flu vaccinations are estimated by scientists to protect against four different influenza viruses that may circulate during the upcoming flu season: two different influenza A viruses and two different influenza B viruses. Medical visits for the flu can be reduced up to 60 percent when the vaccines effectively match the viruses circulating in a season.

Read more about vaccine effectiveness: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm.

Other ways to protect yourself during the flu season include wearing masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and staying home when you’re sick. These actions can prevent flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections.

To learn more about influenza and the influenza vaccine, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html.

To learn more about influenza in Idaho, visit the Idaho influenza website: https://flu.idaho.gov.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

Women’s Health Check is a breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic testing program for low-income, uninsured women in Idaho. It is a valuable resource for eligible women to get screening services such as mammograms, Pap tests, pelvic exams, and  other diagnostic testing.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to me that women in Idaho know these services are available so they can get screened regularly – it could help save their lives. Strengthening the health and safety of all Idahoans is a critical part of our mission at the Department of Health and Welfare.

Idaho has one of the lowest breast cancer screening rates in the United States, even though breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Idaho ranks 50 out of 52 for breast cancer screening. I would love to change that number. 

When breast or cervical cancer is found early, it increases the chance of successful treatment. Ninety-eight percent of women will survive at least five years after an early detection. That’s why regular screenings are so important.

In addition, women screened or diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer may be eligible to receive treatment through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Medicaid Program, which may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and drug therapy. 

You can learn more about the Idaho Women’s Health Check Program on our website at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/medicaid-health/womens-health-fit-fall-quit-smoking/womens-health-check.

To see if you are eligible for Medicaid, visit https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/medicaid-health/apply-medicaid.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Tissue donors save and change lives, but it only works if donors are matched with people in need. Since 2013, the team at the Idaho State EMS Communications Center has been helping make that connection.

Many tissue donors are connected to patients through hospital systems, but when a person passes away outside a hospital, police and other first responders can become their gateway into the donor system. If you’re an emergency responder or know someone who is, you can coordinate through StateComm at 800-632-8000.

Based in Meridian, StateComm is a component of the Bureau of EMS and Preparedness in the Division of Public Health. It routes emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week—making it a logical point of contact for first responders reporting pre-hospital deaths.

When emergency responders reach out about a recently-deceased person, StateComm sends the name, date of birth, and location of the deceased to a referral center, which searches for matches.

This volunteer process is working. One of our partners at a tissue procurement center in Boise recently reported that StateComm is outperforming some of Idaho’s rural hospitals. This is a point of pride for emergency responders and dispatchers who are imperative to making these crucial connections happen.

Moreover, the process and feedback they often receive when there is a match can help emergency responders heal from calls they responded to.

Once again, if you or someone you know would like to participate, please coordinate through StateComm at 800-632-8000.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

The HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Section in the Division of Public Health has a big job – to prevent and treat HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and viral hepatitis in Idaho.

After people get HIV, they have it for life. There is no cure. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners. 

Somewhat similarly, STDs can be treated with medicine, but unlike HIV, some can be cured entirely. They don’t always cause symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms, so it is possible to have an infection and not know it. That is why it is important for people who are sexually active to protect themselves and their partners, and to get tested.

The Department of Health and Welfare’s HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Section is made up of five separate programs that manage and monitor HIV prevention, HIV care, STD prevention, and prevention services related to viral hepatitis in Idaho. The Syringe Exchange Program was added in 2019 after the Idaho Legislature made syringe and needle exchanges legal.

The overarching goal for all these programs is to help Idahoans be as healthy as possible by preventing, treating, and controlling HIV and STDs in the state. 

The section works closely with local public health districts, community health centers, federally qualified health centers, and community-based organizations to ensure prevention and care services are available to the Idahoans who need it.

The primary HIV prevention services include HIV testing, counseling, and referral services for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and connection to HIV medical care; condom distribution; and HIV disease investigation services for newly infected people and their partners.

The section also manages services for those diagnosed with HIV, including medical case management, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and support services to enhance access to and retention in HIV medical care and treatment.

STD prevention-related services are offered through partnerships with local public health districts, community health centers, and federally qualified health centers throughout the state. Services include testing and treatment; education and outreach; and disease investigation services for newly diagnosed clients and their partners.

In line with the national emphasis on eliminating hepatitis C, the section has expanded access to hepatitis C screening and testing through a statewide network of partnerships with clinical and community-based organizations.

The section works closely with the Epidemiology Section to monitor HIV and STD trends throughout the state and deploys resources to combat the spread of disease. Rates of HIV and STD fluctuate year to year, but the 2021 rate of syphilis continued a multi-year increase and remains of concern.

The syringe exchange services provide technical assistance to community-based entities supporting syringe and needle exchange activities and implementation guidance, per statute requirements.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Project Filter offers free resources and support in Idaho to help people quit smoking, vaping, and chewing, as staffers work toward an Idaho that is free from tobacco-related deaths and disease.

The program promotes healthy behaviors and offers free Nicotine Replacement Therapy in the form of nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges, to help people on their journey to quit commercial tobacco. Staff works closely with Idaho’s seven local public health districts and two tribes to make sure free resources and classes are available to all Idahoans who want to quit using tobacco.

The program offers:  

• Up to eight weeks of free nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges for eligible participants.
• Personalized support from a trained quit coach anytime, day or night. (This is available in Spanish and 150 other languages)
• Personalized text or e-mail messages to help with your quit attempt when you sign up for eCoach.

The tobacco industry markets and targets their products to youth, racial and ethnic minorities, people who are LGBTQ+, veterans, people who live in rural and remote areas, and many others. To provide  services to the people who need it most, the program staff works hard to meet people where they are. That’s why Project Filter works with an array of groups in a variety of places and events, from fairs and festivals, to rodeos and stock car races, including:

• Canyon County Fair in Caldwell
• Eastern Idaho State Fair and Gem State Classic Pro Rodeo in Blackfoot
• Stateline Speedway in Post Falls
• Jerome County Fair and Rodeo in Jerome
• MRP RAcing in Coeur d'Alene
• Pride festivals – statewide
• Bull Mayhem at the Fort Hall Indian Reservation
• Flipside Festival in Garden City
• Boise Music Festival
• Treefort Music Festival in Boise
• World Village Festival in Boise

In 2011, 17 percent of adults in Idaho smoked cigarettes. In 2020, the smoking rate was under 14 percent, thanks to the many efforts of Project Filter and their partners across the state.

Idahoans can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit projectfilter.org to sign up for free services from anywhere in the state.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Death by suicide is listed as the cause of death for far too many Idahoans. In 2020, Idaho had the fifth highest suicide rate in the United States. That is very concerning, but it’s also important to know that suicide is preventable and most people who make a suicide attempt don’t want to die. They just want the pain to stop. Providing care and hope to someone having suicidal thoughts can help save a life. There are things you can do to help.

What are some of the warning signs that someone might be thinking about suicide?

Warning signs include:

• Talking about wanting to die or completing suicide
• Looking for a way to kill themselves by searching online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Isolation and withdrawal
• Talking about feeling hopeless or trapped
• Feeling like a burden to others
• Having consistent nightmares
• Increasing use of drugs or alcohol
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Behaving recklessly
• Increased aggression, anger, or irritability
• Change in sleep habits – either too much sleep or too little
• Extreme mood swings

Are there certain times in a person’s life that are more likely to increase a person’s risk of suicide?

The risk that someone might attempt suicide is higher if these signs are linked to a painful or stressful event or a loss. The risk is also greater when these signs are new or begin to happen more frequently. The risk of suicide is even greater if a person has access to lethal means. Those experiencing a mental illness, especially a mood disorder, are at a higher risk for making a suicide attempt and dying by suicide. Most people who die by suicide are not seeking mental health treatment at the time of their death. They often feel alone and isolated.

What should you do if you recognize some of these warning signs?

Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention. The best thing to do is to ask the question directly: Are you thinking about killing yourself? And then listen to their response.

Do not leave someone alone who is actively having serious thoughts of suicide. You can instill hope in that person with statements like, “I care if you live.” You also should do your best to work with the person to safely restrict his or her access to a method for killing themselves, such as firearms or drugs. Or you may need to encourage and help the person see a mental health provider. Call 911 or take the person to the hospital if you believe he or she can’t be safe.

What are some of the local suicide prevention resources we can use?

The most familiar and excellent resource is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, accessible by simply dialing 9-8-8 anywhere. Also available day and night are local crisis centers in Boise, Caldwell, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Moscow, Orofino, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello. Information about the crisis centers and other resources can be found by calling the Idaho CareLine, which is available by dialing 2-1-1 anywhere in Idaho. 

Elke Shaw-Tulloch is the administrator of the Division of Public Health, and the state’s public health officer. She has worked for the department since 1996 and was promoted to division administrator in 2012. Since February 2020, she has focused most of her time on responding to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Idaho Crisis & Suicide Hotline

Follow the Department of Health and Welfare on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates and information you can trust.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

Helping Idaho’s children and their families by making sure they are safe and supported is a very important goal for us.

We have many services and programs to help support Idaho’s children and families, but today I’d like to encourage those who work with young children and their families to consider attending the Early Years Conference on Nov. 1-2 in Boise. The theme is Vision for Success in Early Childhood.

Our biennial conference is organized by the Head Start Collaboration Office and the Infant Toddler Program. It provides members of Idaho's early childhood learning communities access to current research and best practices that benefit children from when they are born until they turn 8 years old. It attracts presenters with expertise in key and emerging issues related to strengthening and supporting families in unique and diverse populations.

This year, there are five tracks for attendees:

• Building Family Strengths: Identifies and supports the unique and specialized needs of children and their families.
• Health/Safety and Well-Being: Emphasizes the importance of supporting and nurturing young children, including safety issues, and child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention.
• Early Care and Learning: Focuses on early child development, research, and educational practices that enable infants and young children to reach their maximum potential.
• Program/Professional Development: Highlights program models and best practices to enhance professional work with young children and families.
• Infant/Early Child Mental Health: Centers on the social and emotional development of children from birth through age 5 and their families, including key issues, relationships, risks, and best-practice interventions. 

The conference is a great chance to learn, grow, and connect with other like-minded people in Idaho who are passionate about helping children be successful in life.

Learn more about the conference and find registration information on our website at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/early-years-conference-2022

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend! 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

The first updated COVID-19 vaccine boosters have now been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These updated boosters are aimed more directly at the Omicron variants that continue to circulate in the U.S. and around the world.

To make the boosters more effective, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components have been added to the vaccines to help restore and increase protection that has declined since previous vaccination. The boosters are known as “bivalent” because they now include two components to more broadly cover the viruses that may circulate this fall.

Who should get the updated booster?

The updated booster from Pfizer-BioNTech is recommended for people ages 12 years and older. The Moderna booster is recommended for people ages 18 and older. 

The CDC recommends that everyone eligible should get the updated booster to get the best protection from the virus that causes COVID-19, which is still circulating in Idaho. It’s expected that the viruses causing COVID-19 illness will spread more, and that more people will get sick as they go back to school and spend more time indoors.

When should they get it?

People can get the updated booster if it has been at least two months since their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine. For most people, it’s been longer than two months since their last dose, so getting the booster as we head into fall respiratory illness season is especially important to avoid serious illness.

Where are the boosters available?

The updated boosters have started being sent to Idaho by manufacturers, but quantities are still limited. It’s best to visit vaccines.gov to find vaccine near you, check with your local pharmacy, or call your healthcare provider.

How often will we need to get a COVID-19 booster?

Unless a new, more contagious, or more dangerous variant evolves, the hope is that after getting the updated bivalent booster, most people will be able to get a yearly shot to maintain protection against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. Those who are immunocompromised may need more doses.

It is impossible to know which new virus variants may appear this fall, so it’s important to stay aware of evolving recommendations and if you have questions to discuss your options with your healthcare provider.

Dr. Christine Hahn is Idaho’s state epidemiologist and the Division of Public Health’s medical director. She is board certified in infectious disease and works in an Idaho tuberculosis clinic twice monthly. She also serves on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

COVID-19 resources:

• Idaho’s Coronavirus website
• CDC COVID-19 website
• Find COVID-19 and flu vaccines/boosters near you: Use vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment. 

Follow the Department of Health and Welfare on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates and information you can trust.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov. 

The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), first declared in January 2020, was most recently renewed on July 15. The next decision about the PHE is not due until Oct. 15, but the federal government has agreed to notify states 60 days before it ends. Since that has not happened, it is expected that the PHE will be renewed in October. This is important to know for Idahoans who receive Medicaid.

The PHE declaration for COVID-19 provided continued Medicaid coverage for Idahoans who may have otherwise become ineligible. When the declaration ends, this protection also ends.

Idaho currently has about 131,000 people on protected Medicaid, which means we do not know if they are still eligible for Medicaid, but their benefits cannot be closed while the PHE is in place unless they request it.

When the 60-day notice is given to states that the PHE will end, DHW will send notices to those recipients telling them about any coming changes in their eligibility or benefits, and if they need to complete a re-evaluation.

We don’t know how many of the 131,000 will still get benefits. We have not had contact with many of them for more than two years because of the PHE. We do not know their current income or resource status.

For reference, about 430,000 people receive Medicaid in Idaho.

If you currently receive Medicaid, please take action to make sure you receive notices about your benefits and re-evaluations. Report any changes in your household information, including your phone number and address.

If your contact information has changed, or you want to confirm your current information, call DHW at 877-456-1233 or email MyBenefits@dhw.idaho.gov. You can also report changes by visiting idalink.idaho.gov.

I hope you have a safe and healthy weekend.